Legislative Analyst’s Office 0 Presentation to Annual Alternative Accountability Policy Forum November 16, 2015 San Diego, CA

Six Alternative Schools Operated by Three Entities

 At least 70 percent of students at schools meet certain criteria for being “high risk.”  May use alternative accountability framework.  About 100 operated in Additional Alternative Schools Operated by Local Education Agencies 2

Alternative Schools Have High Student Turnover

 Students often enroll for shorter periods of time.  Schools often set shorter-term goals for students.  Schools often use shorter-term measures to assess student progress. Key Differences Between Alternative Schools and Traditional Schools 4

California’s Accountability System 5  Academic Performance Index (API)  A number assigned to each school based on standardized test scores. Suspended for several years.  Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP)  A strategic plan for schools that must address eight state priority areas was first year.  Evaluation Rubrics, Support and Intervention  A tool to evaluate schools’ progress toward goals and trigger support if they are not meeting goals. Must be finalized by fall 2016.

 Alternative schools often have different goals  Often a shorter-term intervention to reengage students.  Leads to misalignment of accountability  Currently use longer-term accountability measures. Alternative Schools Use Same Accountability System 6

 Annual Standardized Tests  Tests do not measure academic progress of short-term students.  Outcome Data  Measure of high school graduation inappropriate.  Do not include other transitions as an outcome, such as transfer. Shortcomings of Performance Data for Alternative Schools… 7

 API  Historically, many schools have not received API scores.  Certain School Level Reports  Many have not reported performance of individual schools. …Result in Shortcomings with Accountability Reports 8

 Vulnerable Students  Often represents last chance to reengage and educate students. Frequently changing student population makes it difficult to develop local constituencies to advocate for students.  Lack of Information  Reporting does not effectively gauge how alternative schools serve students. Why Improve State Accountability for Alternative Schools? 9

Recommended Next Steps for Improvement 10  Collect Performance Data for Shorter- Term Students  Academic data: pre- and post-tests and credits gained.  Outcome data: use more appropriate graduation measure and add transition measure.

Recommended Next Steps for Improvement (Continued) 11  Improve Accountability Reports for Alternative Schools  Ensure all schools held accountable.  Do not allow schools to be masked by averages.

 Identify Underperforming Schools and Support Them  Set standards for alternative schools.  Ensure schools are provided support if needed. Recommended Next Steps for Improvement (Continued) 12

lao.ca.gov 13 Natasha Collins Fiscal and Policy Analyst Thank you